Definition

A monoclonal antibody targeting the human proinflammatory cytokine interleukin-1 beta (IL-1b), with potential anti-inflammatory, immunomodulating and antineoplastic activities. Upon administration, anti-IL-1b monoclonal antibody AK114 targets and binds to IL-1b and prevents the binding of IL-1b to the IL-1 receptor. This inhibits IL-1b-mediated signaling pathways, and suppresses inflammatory responses, tumorigenesis and angiogenesis mediated by IL-1b. IL-1b plays a key role in inflammation, which is present in various disease states including cancers. IL-1b-mediated signaling pathways include MAPK, cyclooxygenase and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kB) pathways, which may lead to macrophage activation, intra-tumoral accumulation of immunosuppressive myeloid cells, and tumor growth, invasiveness, metastasis, and angiogenesis.